Bridge project to get about $290,000

Federal money will go to replacing structure in Jim Thorpe .

May 05, 2004|By David Slade Of The Morning Call

A plan to replace the two-lane bridge that joins Jim Thorpe's east and west sides is among 20 state transportation projects that will get a chunk of an $8.2 million federal allocation announced Tuesday.

In Monroe County, federal money was allocated for improvements to the Interstate 80 ramps at Scotrun and Tannersville.

State Department of Transportation engineer Donald E. Lerch said the $289,946 for the bridge that takes Route 903 across the Lehigh River in Jim Thorpe will not change the speed or scope of the project.

Preliminary engineering work began in August 2002, and two more years could pass -- after environmental studies and reviews of conceptual drawings -- before designing a new bridge begins, Lerch said.

The 52-year-old bridge connects Routes 209 and 903 and is the only way across the Lehigh River for miles.

When the bridge was temporarily closed a decade ago to repair a cracked support beam, the detour was about 20 miles long.

In addition, a sharp turn at the bottom of the hill on Route 903 that leads to the bridge has been the scene of several serious accidents.

"What we're looking at is relocating the bridge upstream to Route 903, so that you come down the hill, straight across the river to Route 209," Lerch said.

He said building a bridge there is the likeliest course of action, but the final decision won't be made until the studies are finished and reviewed.

With the scope of the project uncertain, the cost has not been specified.

Lerch said the federal money announced Tuesday means more money is immediately available, but the project will proceed on a timeline set by PennDOT.

In Monroe County, $434,919 will go toward improving the Interstate 80 exits at Scotrun, Route 611, and Tannersville, Route 715.

Both exits feed a growing commercial area that includes the Camelback Ski Area and The Crossings factory outlet.